Chang'an in late spring is always shrouded in layers of soft mist that cannot be separated, just like the freshly ground Hui ink on Qiao Lin's desk, which turns into a hazy blue when dropped into warm water. The old locust tree in the backyard of Mingdao Academy sprouted new branches. The tips of the goose-yellow buds were stained with morning dew. When the wind blew, they rustled downwards and fell on the proofs of "Da Sheng New Code" he had spread out, leaving small wet marks.
